The 50-year-old, who guided the Blues to two Premier League titles before leaving the club in September 2007, has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season to succeed interim boss Rafael Benitez.

"For the top club, and for the big club of Chelsea, we need the best from the players [and] from the managers. Maybe one day it will be a pleasure to work with him," Ivanovic told Sky Sports.

"We'll see. You never know and it's not time for us to speak, but the players said already in the paper - who worked with him already - said he was [a] success.

"This is a very, very important thing. And for him personally, he said Chelsea is his home and he loves the club and I think this is something positive and [creates a] good atmosphere, which can be a good, positive thing for the club."

Chelsea currently sit in third place in the Premier League table, four points adrift of Manchester City with nine games of the campaign still to play.